NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 897, 10 May 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Christchurch Mutual Improvement Assort cjton. At the usual weekly meeting, held last evening, Mr J. L. Wilson read a second paper on “ Mental Science” An interesting discussion then took place on the subject. Messrs Corbin Lamb, and H. Johnston were elected members of the Association.

The Ensuing Session. —A Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald, writing of the forthcoming session of Parliament, says extensive amendments in the Stamp, Licensing, Sharebrokers’ and other Acts, are expected, and it is almost certain that Parliament will be invited to reconsider the whole subject of ocean mail and interprovincial steam services.

Newspaper Anniversary.— The gentlemen of the Press on the West Const, or in that part of it known as Hokitika, are in the habit of having merry meetings whenever reasonable excuse offers. The latest meeting of the kind was hold on Friday last, when the staff of the T Vest Coast Times invited its proprietor, Mr R. C. Reid, to a supper in Keller’s Cafe National, to join with them in celebrating the thirteenth anniversary of that journal. The Hon. J. A. Bonar, and other citizens were present, and the evening was spent most enjoyahly, the proposers of the toasts not forgetting “ absent friends,” including several now connected with the literary and typographical departments of newspapers in Christchurch and elsewhere.

Canterbury Museum, Mr. George Gould’s Presentation. —Amongst the new arrivals at the Museum which deserve more than a passing notice, is the new gift of Mr George Gould, which he, whenjin England, at the suggestion of Professor von Haast, obtained through the kind assistance of Mr S. W. Silver, who for some years past lias been instrumental in advancing considerably the interests of the Museum. The presentation of Air Gould consists first of a fine collection of ceramic art, beginning with the Etruscan era and reaching to our own times, so that the student or'collector can instruct himself in the different styles which have been adopted, and materials which have been used. Mr Alfred Copeland, the head of the firm of that name, has devoted a great deal of time and trouble to making this collection a thoroughly representative one, for which his extensive knowledge and large business connections gave him every opportunity. The collection also contains an instructive series of materials and specimens showing the different stages t hrough which china and earthenware pass during the process of manufacture. The latter is from the well-known works of Messrs IV. T. Copeland and Sons, Stoke-npon-Trent. In addition to the above Air Gould has also presented a full-sized copy of the fine portrait of Captain Cook, painted by Dance, and which hangs in Greenwich Hospital. The copy was executed by Air E. R. Breach, of London, and is a faithful representation of the original. This latest presentation will without doubt form a prominent feature in the art exhibition shortly to be held in tho new Alnsenm buildings. Sergeant Sleigh in Practice. —During the trial of the case of Fisher v. Fisher in Melbourne a slight difference took place between Air Serjeant Sleigh, who was the leading counsel for the respondent, and Mr Webb, who was at the time cross-examining Mrs Fisher. The learned sergeant interrupted a question of Air Webb’s by alleging that he was not stating the evidence properly, alluding to some evidence that the girl Kate Stokes laid given with reference to the occurrences at Air Fisher’s house. Serjeant Sleigh then repeated what he said that the witness had stated. Air Webb rejoined that she had said nothing of the sort. The Chief Justice said that Air Webb’s account of the evidence was correct. Sergeant. Sleigh said that in England lie had usually been treated with courtesy, and he expected the same treatment from the bar here, which he intended to reciprocate; but if he did not meet with it lie intended t o treat with the contempt they deserved those who used him otherwise. Air AYehb said it was not usually considered courteous to interrupt the examination as Air Serjeant. Sleigh had been in the habit of doing, nor was it usual for counsel to sit, as Serjeant Sleigh was doing, in the attorneys’ seat, and look up at the witness. Serjeant Sleigh said that he sat there because lie could hear better than in the barristers’ seat, and there was nothing to prevent him. In his address to the jury afterwards, Mr Sleigh referred to the matter, and hoped it would make no difference between himself and Air Webb, but at the same time lie felt in the position of a man who, if a revolver was placed at his head, was not particularly careful as to the weapon he used in return. Air Higinbotham, in his speech to tho jury, assured the learned serjeant that his talents would meet, with hearty recognition from the Victorian bar, and while he would receive the warmest co-operation of those barristers with whom lie was engaged, lie might expect, and most assuredly would receive, a sturdy, strenuous, and straightforward opposition from those who might bo engaged against him.

Ladies in Quarantine. —With respect to the refusal of Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queensland, to allow the ladies of his party to undergo the usual medical examination before the steamer Kate was admitted to pratique, the Queenslander writes : —“ The inspection would have included an examination of the chest for any possible eruptions of the skin. Dr. Challinor, the Brisbane Health Oiliccr, acted under written instructions which lie regarded as strict, and when Sir Arthur positively refused to allow an examination of the ladies to be made, Dr. Challinor would not recommend the release of the vessel. Afterwards, the medical commissioners who had consulted with Dr. Challinor about the ease of the Brisbane when she first arrived in port, visited the Kate, and when Sir Arthur Kennedy had repeated his objection, Dr. O’Doherty said it would lie unwise in the present case to create a bad precedent, but lie thought the rule might with perfect safety be a little relaxed in this instance, as the ladies in question were blooming with health, and if they would expose their wrists he thought that would be sufficient. The colleagues of this gentleman agreed with him, and pratique was eventually granted. Notwithstanding the blooming health of the ladies, upon which we congratulate them, we still think it was the duty of Sir Arthur Kennedy to be eager to obey the law, rather than to act so that a farcical relaxation of it was necessary. Women of lower social rank than Governors’ wives or daughters have quite as much delicacy of feeling. But if in the next infected ship that comes into M oreton Bay, a woman of the I people should object to the usual examination, with what justice can the Queensland authorities insist upon it ?”

Railway Servants’ Benefit Society.— A special meeting of this society will take place this evening in the old Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street. The Diamond-stealers. —The Melbourne Argun understands that the Governor of Victoria has received information that the alleged diamond-stealer, Mark Lyons, whoso detention there and subsequent release occasioned some excitement, has been re-arrested in England. and is detained in custody pending the arrival of the necessary authority from South Africa.

Mr Hall’s Benefit. —This gentleman takes his benefit at the Gaiety to-night, on which occasion a very attractive bill will be presented. Since Mr Hall’s accession to the Gaiety he has been indefatigable in his efforts to provide novelty and amusement for his patrons. Besides this, he is so identified with theatrical matters in the old days here that wc feel sure playgoers will to-night testify by a crowded house their appreciation of his talents. The Gaiety. —There was a very good attendance at this theatre last evening. The performance being intended mainly for the little ones, the burlesque and pantomime only were played. In the former all the characters played with much spirit. Miss Wiseman sang “ Is my darling true to me ?” very nicely indeed, and Miss Vivian, in her song “ Good bye darling ” was encored, and received quite a shower of floral offerings. In the pantomime Mr Hall played two solos on the mouth harmonicon very tastefully, and the comic tricks were also very good. To-night the pantomime will be played for Mr Hall’s benefit, together with an hour with M. Houdin. The Alleged Pollution of the Rivers. —The following extract from “ Parke’s Hygiene ’ ’ contains the standards and classifications referred to by Professor Bickerton in his report on the water of the Avon, Heathcote, and outfall drain : —“ The general characters of good water are easily enumerated. Perfect clearness, freedom from odour or taste, coolness, good aeration, and a certain degree of softness, so that cooking operations, and especially of vegetables, can be properly performed, are obvious properties. But when we attempt a more complete description, and assign the amounts of the dissolved matters which it is desirable should not bo exceeded, we find considerable difference of opinion, and also a real want of evidence on which to base a satisfactory judgment. Still, an hygienic classification or enumeration of potable waters, based on such facts as are generally admitted, will bo useful. I have divided all kinds of waters used for drinking into four classes: -1, pure and wholesome water; 2, usable; 3, suspicious; 4, impure.” According to this scale the Avon comes under the first and the Heatheote under the second of these classifications.